University of Cornwall News
Archive

Unified approach to university bid

Editorial Comment

There was welcome re-affirmation this week from Penwith and Truro colleges
of their support for a university campus at Trereife.

Principal at Penwith College, Richard Andrusko says that he does not see
this proposal as necessarily excluding ideas put forward by other educational
establishments, such as Plymouth University and agrees, as we all do, that
the case for a university for the county is proven.

The Cornishman supports the call from the heads of Penwith, Truro, St Austell
and Cornwall colleges to a joint approach to achieving this end but we believe
that a university campus here in Penwith should be at the heart of this approach.

There is no doubt that the colleges will play a central part in the provision
of higher education in the county, along with remote learning with the increasing
availability of information technology in the home, but at the end of the
day it's horses for courses and while the colleges are well placed to develop
the provision of sub-degree courses we lack any cohesive approach to the provision
of a wide range of higher degree courses in the county which 'a purpose built,
landmark campus' would provide, along with the attendant research facilities
and all the other spin offs to the local economy.

Having studied this in depth, Exeter University chose Penzance as the site
for such a development and we have neither seen nor heard anything since that
would dissuade us that this is not the best option.

Having said that, there is no reason why all parties should not get their
heads together to come up with a unified approach.

For it is certain that while we are pulling in opposite directions and various
spanners are finding their way into the works, we will end up, as in so many
other instances, still talking about it years after the Millennium has come
and gone.

College heads back Trereife'We are agreed that the case for a university in Cornwall is proven'

by Alison Rowe &
Steve Fletcher
Staff Reporters

TWO out of the four college heads recently week put forward suggestions for
university education in Cornwall are supporting a campus at Trereife.

Penwith College principal, Richard Andruszko and Truro College principal
Jonathan Burnett were in favour of the campus.

Bill Hill, of St Austell College was not contactable and Dr Alan Stanhopeof
Cornwall College said he was not in a position to comment on the Exeter University
initiative.

Penwith's Mr Andruszko said this week that he and the governors of Penwith
College had always been in support of Exeter University's proposal for a campus.

"I agree with arguments presented by Sir Geoffrey Holland and his team,
of the advantages of a purpose built landmark project and the associated benefits
it would bring to Penwith and the county.

"I also believe there will be considerable benefits for Penwith College
and its students in having a higher education institution as a close neighbour.
At the same time I do not see Exeter University's proposal and the idea being
put forward by other establishments, for example, Plymouth University, as
being necessarily mutually exclusive."

Mr Andruszko feels that there has been some misinterpretation of a statement
issued recently by the heads of the four further education colleges in Cornwall.

"As principals, we are agreed that the case for a university in Cornwall
is proven. In our joint letter, we state we believe that the whole debate
should be moved forward by bringing together interested parties, so that the
form of university provision can be agreed and co-ordination established,
to avoid wasteful competition.

"What our letter purposely omits is any mention of what each college
individually considers to be the best solution."

But this week, Jonathan Burnett, principal of Truro College told The Cornishman
that he too supported Exeter University's plans for a single campus at Trereife,
but also felt that existing higher education colleges throughout the county
could be developed.

"I have personally made no secret of my support for Exeter University's
initiative," he said.

"Few other prospects in Cornwall could have such a positive economic
affect on West Cornwall and the county as the building of a university at
Penzance. As far as I am concerned there is no conflict between this initiative
and the idea to develop higher education provision."

But Dr Alan Stanhope of Cornwall College said that he did not really want
to comment on whether he supported a single university campus at Penzance
or not.

"I believe our board has put together a more intellectual proposal for
the future of university education in Cornwall, which is more broadbased than
Exeter's plan," he said.

"The document we put together "Towards a University in Cornwall"
which highlights our proposals has been extremely well received by the Government
Office and we understand that moves are afoot to explore our ideas further."

Dr Stanhope said that he did not wish to comment on Exeter University's project
as it was not his place to speak on someone else's idea.

Sir Geoffrey Holland, who started the initiative for a university at Trereife
was not available for comment this week.

But Penwith College's Mr Andruszko, in stating his backing for a campus at
Trereife, conceded said that other colleges may have a different view.

"Indeed, Cornwall College have recently published a paper presenting
the situation as they see it. This is their document and, as far as I am aware,
no other college was involved in its preparation.

"However, the point of our joint letter is that although we may have
differing perspectives on the matter, we each acknowledge the importance of
all stake-holders now sitting down to discuss and agree what is the best solution
for Cornwall.

"I was also taken aback by the suggestion that the FE colleges were
only acting in self interest and that our involvement in the debate on higher
education was in some way inappropriate.

"In its recent Green Paper on Lifelong Learning, the Government has
set a target of some 500,000 additional students in further and higher education
by 2002, and has clearly stated that it sees the growth of sub-degree courses,
e.g. HND, mainly taking place in FE colleges. At Penwith College we already
offer NVQ qualifications at the higher levels of 4 and 5, and our first HND
should be available from next September.

Contributors

"We, like the other colleges, are developing our provision to meet the
Government's targets and to help people in the communities we serve acquire
higher level skills, training and qualifications.

"The FE colleges will be key contributors to the development of higher
education in Cornwall, and our provision would complement the degree and postgraduate
work offered by a university.

"What we as principals are urging is that a university in Cornwall should
be established as soon as possible," he added.

Document preparation: Chris Salter, Original
Think-tank, Cornwall, United Kingdom.
Comments and suggestions are more than welcome and should be directed along
with any problem reports to webdesign@originalthinktank.org.uk
Document Reference: <URL:http://www.originalthinktank.org.uk/archive/uoc/news9811.html>
Last modification: 14th January 2002
Last information content change: 12th November 1998